By Zion Murray
While the No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers bounced back with a hard-fought win over Auburn, they will now shift focus to ending a 25-year drought against the Razorbacks in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
With more questions being asked about this Tennessee team, the Vols will look to provide answers, while the Razorbacks look to play spoiler and derail their SEC momentum.
Arkansas Razorbacks (2-3)
The Razorbacks enter this matchup at 0-2 in SEC play, following a 27-point loss to Texas A&M last weekend and a 28-point loss to No. 2 Georgia two weeks prior. First-year head coach Ryan Silverfield inherited a program coming off a 2-10 season and has already faced a gauntlet of a schedule, including a 43-10 loss to No. 12 Utah.
The biggest problem for Arkansas is consistency, particularly against Power Four competition. The Razorbacks are averaging just 11.3 points per game against Power Four opponents thus far and were outgained 401-214 in last week’s loss to the Aggies.
Arkansas is led by KJ Jackson, a quarterback who has shown flashes of being a capable SEC starter. However, the signal caller has struggled to maintain consistency.
The junior quarterback has thrown for 1,038 yards and 6 touchdowns through five games, while adding 2 rushing touchdowns. The biggest concern for Arkansas is what happens when Jackson faces pressure and is forced to make difficult throws — something defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and the gritty Tennessee defense will look to exploit.
Arkansas has struggled to establish consistency on the ground as well. The Razorbacks are averaging only 92.2 rushing yards per game and 2.8 yards per carry. The Vols’ defense has allowed 132.2 rushing yards per game. If Tennessee can force Arkansas into obvious passing situations, the Vols should be able to unleash their pass rush and make life difficult for Jackson.
The Razorbacks have also struggled defensively, allowing 28.4 points per game — the second-highest total in the SEC. The Arkansas defensive front will need to shut down DeSean Bishop and the Tennessee rushing attack after allowing 146 rushing yards per game, the third most in the SEC.
While the Razorbacks have not been particularly sharp this season, Tennessee’s history in Fayetteville makes Saturday’s contest compelling. Tennessee has not won at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium since 2001, dropping four consecutive games there.
So while Arkansas enters Saturday as the statistical underdog, the home environment gives the Razorbacks a legitimate opportunity.
No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers (4-1)
The Volunteers enter Fayetteville with momentum after bouncing back against Auburn last weekend, yet their first SEC road game of the season comes with a significant question at the position.
The biggest storyline surrounding Tennessee is the decision to turn to George MacIntyre at quarterback. MacIntyre will make his first career start Saturday after replacing freshman Faizon Brandon during Tennessee’s win over Auburn. The sophomore has completed 14 of 20 passes for 148 yards and 1 touchdown this season, including an 8-for-10 performance for 86 yards against Auburn.
Head coach Josh Heupel is rolling with MacIntyre to ignite a spark for the Tennessee offense.
The offensive line will be key in protecting the new signal caller and making his job easier Saturday. The biggest blemish for this group has been pass protection: The Vols have allowed 16 sacks through five games, including 10 sacks in a single game against Texas. The offensive line showed improvement in the win against Auburn, but carrying that momentum forward will be crucial in SEC play.
The Vols’ rushing attack has established itself as one of the quiet strengths of this team through the production of DeSean Bishop. Bishop exploded against Auburn for a career-high 220 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. The Volunteers have racked up 1,203 rushing yards, second most in the SEC. Arkansas has struggled to defend the run, while Tennessee has demonstrated an ability to control games on the ground.
The Vols’ defense has been a dependable unit under Knowles. The Volunteers are allowing just 15.2 points per game and the fifth-fewest total yards in the SEC. Tennessee’s defense also leads the nation with 23 sacks. The Vols’ secondary has been equally efficient, recording five interceptions and allowing only 2 passing touchdowns through five games.
Saturday’s biggest challenge for the Vols may be a venue that has plagued them for nearly a quarter-century. For Tennessee, this is an opportunity to prove it can win away from Neyland Stadium, manage a quarterback transition, and avoid the kind of upset that could derail an otherwise promising season.